by InTrieste
On a cold Sunday morning in March, Davide Mostarda was walking along Trieste’s waterfront when he heard cries for help coming from the sea near the Molo Audace.
Within moments, the 31-year-old financial consultant had removed the heavier items of clothing that might weigh him down and plunged into the frigid Adriatic waters to rescue a young woman struggling to stay afloat.
On Thursday, city officials honored Mr. Mostarda for what Mayor Roberto Dipiazza described as an act of “courage and selflessness” that saved a life.
During a ceremony at City Hall, Mr. Mostarda received the Small Bronze Seal of the Municipality of Trieste, an award recognizing civic merit. The accompanying inscription praised his “altruism, courage and dedication” in rescuing a young woman facing grave danger.
According to municipal officials, Mr. Mostarda, originally from Udine and employed at the central Trieste branch of Poste Italiane, managed to bring the woman safely back to shore despite the cold conditions and rough water typical of early spring in the northern Adriatic.
Emergency responders, alerted by passers-by, transported both individuals to Cattinara Hospital for medical checks. Neither suffered serious consequences.
“This is the Italy I like most,” Mayor Dipiazza said during the ceremony, praising the young man’s willingness to risk his own safety to save another person.
The ceremony, held in the Salotto Azzurro of the municipal palace, was attended by members of Mr. Mostarda’s family as well as local officials.
In a city long defined by its relationship with the sea, the rescue quickly resonated with residents, many of whom viewed the episode as a reminder of how ordinary citizens can act with extraordinary resolve in moments of crisis.
